The General’s Women

A Novel

By: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrated by: Christine Williams

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Set during the chaotic years of World War II, The General's Women tells the story of the conflicted relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby, his Irish driver/aide, and the impact of that relationship on Mamie Eisenhower and her life in Washington during the war. Told from three alternating points of view (Kay's, Ike's, and Mamie's), the novel charts the deepening of the relationship as Ike and Kay move from England to North Africa to England, France, and Germany before and after the Normandy landing. At the end of the war, Ike is faced with the heart-wrenching choice between marrying Kay and a political future.

The story continues into the post-war years, as Ike (returning to Mamie) becomes Army chief of staff, president of Columbia University, supreme commander of NATO, and president of the United States. Kay, meanwhile, struggles to create a life and work of her own, writing two memoirs: the first (Eisenhower Was My Boss, 1948) about her war work with Ike; the second (Past Forgetting, 1976) about their love affair. An author's note deals with the complicated question of the truth of Kay's story as it appeared in the posthumously published Past Forgetting.

©2017 Susan Wittig Albert (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Appreciated this story

Thank you to Susan Wittig Albert for researching and writing this account that could otherwise have been lost for all time. This is such an important story, and was fascinating from beginning to end.

Definitely engages the reader!

Beautifully depicts the human struggle of maintaining one's integrity while still reaching for the desires of the heart.

Wonderfully imagined.

I loved this glimpse into history. It is wonderfully thought out. The author brings the characters to life.

Fascinating Story

The book told the side of the war along with a personal message. It was very detailed about the European Theatre during WWII.

Great story

I never knew about the affair. Great story and details. I knew some parts had to be fiction, however, it really made the book more interesting.

Great Book

This is a soundly researched and artfully marshalled account of a very significant historical figure and a foible not commonly associated with him, weakness of spirit. The depiction of the relationship is a little too Hallmark channel- Ike was screwing her brains out like just about every other leader of Worjd War II leader. I started out admiring Ike but ended up despising his pusillanimous cop out-He was no King Edward. Ike was a commodity and John and Mamie whitewashed history and string armed Kay Somersby to preserve it
Ike was no different than Jack Kennedy or Bill Clinton, He is lucky this love affair did not sink his electability. Mamie Eisenhower is one of the most unappetizing First Ladies of History. This marriage , like much else in the 50s, was a complete sham.

Very interesting listen

I remember Eisenhower when I was a little girl and because my father admired him, I did as well. I remember when he died that we that we were sitting in the officer's club at Rhine Mein Air Base in Germany after church because my dad was stationed there. Everyone stopped eating and there were tears and expressions of sadness at the loss.

I haven't thought about him much over the years since I've been grown so when I saw this book on Audible it intrigued me. This is a very interesting story that has had me researching more about each of the central characters as their story was unfolding. I believe this will be one I will be listening to agai.

Near history

One of the great mysteries of the Eisenhower myth was the true extent of his relationship with Kay Summersby. Ms. Albert does a wonderful job of mixing history and fiction-From what I have read about Summersby and Eisenhower her story really hits the mark. While we will know whether Ike and Kay were lovers, the story and the appended biography all but makes the affair certain. For me Kay was an incredibly sympathetic figure that unfortunately did not know or believe that Eisenhower after the world belonged to the country and not to her. I enjoyed reading this book alongside my reading of Ike by Michael Korda.

DI NOT BYPASS THE AUTHORS NOTES AT THE END

Susan Albert has written a very enjoyable read or listen, if you prefer. Christine Williams was an excellent narrator. Her accents and pleasing voice were welcome indeed. I think this will appeal to any age but particularly those of my age, 59, who’s parents lived during this time in American History. Having a BA in History, sometimes I can be overly critical of Historical Fiction due to the Liberty taken with facts. However, the areas Ms Albert did take liberty enhanced the story without taking away the truth of her story. Often, readers or listeners, will skip over the authors notes. I advise against that. For an author who claims to be an historical fiction writer, she has done her research and homework and very little appears to me to be actual fiction.

Fascinating historical romance between Dwight Eisenhauer and an Irish volunteer

Set in WWIi, this fascinating story of an American president and commander of the European Allied forces is based on historical sources. You’ll love the very human responses to circumstances. Great work in telling the story of a fascinating woman whose story was silenced in order to protect Ike and his family’s reputation.